High-pressure test plug



Dec. 16, 1952 Filed March 3, 1949 B. TUTTLE HIGH-PRESSURE TEST PLUG 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. I Ber-z ZzzztZe Dec. 16, a UT HIGH-PRESSURE TEST PLUG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1949 IN VEN TOR. 367 i Tzz 6276 Dec. 16, B. TUTTLE -HIGH'PRESSURE TEST PLUG.

In'vmtor 67; razzze flaw-am Altar/Ivy Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH-PRESSURE TEST PLUG Bert Tuttle, Orange, Tex.

Application March 3, 1949, Serial No. 79,377

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to high pressure test plugs and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

It is an object of the present invention toprovide a. high pressure test plug which is capable of insertion into one end of a pipe to be tested and quickly and easily clamped into position thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth which is provided with means whereby pressure within a pipe to be tested contributesto the holding of the device within such pipe. 1

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction and operation and yet eifective and eflicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel compressible means for gripping the interior surface of a pipe to be tested.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel arrangement of clamps and anchor rods for gripping the exterior of a pipe to be tested.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a, side elevational view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the device shown in Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an element of the invention,

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modification of the invention,

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 but artly broken away to show interior details, and

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-42 of Figure 10.

Generally there is provided a test plug for the testing of sections of pipe, particularly heavy duty pipe. The plug consists essentially of a spider adapted to be placed against the bell of a section of pipe to be tested, a pair of clamps adapted to surround the exterior of the pipe, an anchor rod interconnecting each of the clamps with the "and provided with a series of washers having compressible members inserted therebetween. A spacer member surrounds the tubular member and bears against the inner face of the spider and the outermost of the washers. The device is used for testing the critical pressure of pipe and eliminates many steps heretofore considered conventional in suchcases. A modified form'of theinvention provides a simple and safe means for welding outlet members to sections of pipe.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

there is shown therein a high-pressure test plug comprising a spider it! having a generally circular body and provided with a-centrally disposed aperture H. The spider is also provided with a pair of laterally disposed ears 12 integrally formed with the body thereof and a like pair of ears l3 diametrically opposed to the ears l2.

A hollow tubular member [4 extends through the aperture II and is exteriorly threaded at its outer end, as indicated at I5,- and at its inner end, as indicated at [6.

A two-part inner clamp I1 is provided with outwardly extending ears l8 interconnected. by means of bolts [9 and is provided for encompassing a pipe 20 to be tested. A like clamp 2| is provided with ears 22 and bolts 23.

. The ears [2 have a bolt 24 selectively extending through vertical openings therein and the ears 13 have a like bolt 25 selectively extending through vertical openings l3a formed therein. A relatively short anchor rod 26 is provided with an eye 21 adapted to surround the bolt 25 and extends rearwardly between one pair of ears 2! and is provided with a washer 28 and a nut 29 at its inner end. A relatively long anchor rod 30 is provided at its forward end with an eye 3| surrounding the bolt 24 and extends through the other pair of ears 2| and thence through a pair of ears [8 and is provided with a washer 32 and a nut 33.

A cylindrically shaped spacer member 34 surrounds the tubular member Hi and abuts the inner face of the spider H]. A washer 35 surrounds the tubular member M in contact with the inner end of the spacer 34 and, in consecutive order inwardly on the member I4, there is placed a. cylindrically shaped compressible member 36, preferably formed of rubber, a washer 31, a com- "used for eaten. up

pressible member 38 similar to the member 36 but countersunk in its outer end, as indicated at 39, a washer 40 having a conical face adapted to fit the outer end of the member 38 and a nut 41.

In operation, it will be apparent that when it is desired to test a pipe, as, for example, the pipe 20, the member I 4 and its attendant parts are inserted into the pipe until the inner face of the spider I comes into contact with the bell 42 of the pipe. Thereafter the clampsl'l-and 2] .are positioned upon the outer sides :of the pipe and the anchor rods 26 and 3B are arranged upon opposite sides of the pipe in such manner that their inner ends are positioned upon ,thesears 22 .and the ears [8 respectively. Pressure may be applied then through the member 14 to; the interior of the pipe 20. Such pressure will cause a force to be exerted against the washer 40' thereby to compress the members 36 and 38 between the washer 40 and the washers 31 and 35 resulting in an increase in the diameter of the compressible members 35 and 38 and hence effectivejly,sealing pipe?!) against t escape of .pressure therefrom. It willalso beapparent that the nut .41 is V holding the washers and compressible members together with the spacer member in on. the member J4; and, that. anut 43 threadablymountedupon the memberJ 4 is adapte d'toihfold 'the spider I 0 and the various members surrounding the me mber l 4 in proper position. 4 Fl t herme g inc b .o anch r trod int ,Q 1111' i h spi an .ea lth iic mp the spa c1134, being of srnaller diameter thanlthe in- "'t'rior diameter of the pipe 30, makesi certain that the compressibleinembers 35 and 8 actonly upon the interior of the face of the 'and'not upon'the inner walls, of the bellfii.

' In thelmodiii ed f orm of the invention. shown in Figures-"9" to 12,t inclusive, there is,s;hown a plate 50 whose outer edge is provided with aplurality of spaced openings for the reception of bolts,

I forfastenir'ig the sameto a flange SZ pf a pipe e f 'l l h ree riiqaPiat nef reds. whicli are provided with nuts; {55 at their outer pcsi- 59 and a steam outlet pipe 60 which are respectively provided with valves 6 I and 62.

In the operation of the device shown in Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, air under pressure may be introduced through the member M as heretofore described, the gauge 58 serving to advise the operator of the pressures utilized at all times. If it is desired, for example, to weld a fitting 63, to the pipe 53, the plate 50 is clamped to the flange 52 of the pipe, a gasket 64 being interposed therebetweento prevent leakage and the chains 57 gether at their free ends.

are then wound upon the pipe and hooked to- Steam is now introduced into the pipe between the member 34 and the inner walls of the pipe by opening the valve 6] and allowing the escape of air and dan- .gelious fumes through the pipe 6!] :by Opening the valve 62. The cutting and welding operation may then take place in safety and the device thereafter removed.

While, but-twoiorms of the invention have shown and described. herein, it will-bereadily apparenttothoseskilled inthe art" that many ,scppe'of the appended claim.

minor modifications maybe-made without departing, from the spirit. 'of' tlieiinvention or he What isclaimedis: ,A device for'use with a pipehaving a bell and an opening located therein; a hollow cylindrical member threadably mounted inlsaid opening and adapted to b inserted into the pipe, aplurality ofwasherson said cylindrical member, a plurality 0i9mn esib1emembers on said cylindrical member between said washerplocking; meansfor h0lding the device upon the pipe, alval'ved steam inlet saidplateand a, valved steam outlet. for said I plate, sai ,lofickingflmeans. including. bolts interconnecting the bell pf'then pipe and the plate and a pair of chains connectedatmoneendwith the plate and adapted to be wounduponthepipe and hooked together at theirfree ends.

.BERT .TUTTLE.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of, this patent:

1 UNITEDPSTATES PATENTS Number Name "Date 739,589 CliiTord Sept,22, 1903 775,124 Christman ;Nov. 15, 1904 821,223 Coleman May '22, 1906 1,155,820 -Kennedy Oct. '5, 1915 1,242,769 Chamberlain Oct. 9, 1917 2,477,663 Sexton Aug. 2, 1949 

